Page 184 of Hidden Ties

“If we take the bed down, it’ll give them more room to play,” Creed suggested.

“They have half the basement downstairs to play in. Plus, there’s still plenty of room to play in their room. They share a room in my apartment, and it’s a quarter of the size of this room.”

“Just let me know. I can store it if you change your mind.”

She went to the next room, which had been done in neutral colors. Sage knew this was the perfect room for Glory.

“This room is the second master.” Coming into the room from behind, Creed stopped to stand next to her. “Will this room do for your sister?”

Afraid if she tried to speak, she would lose it, she moved further into the room. This one was easily the size of her whole apartment. Not only was the room decorated beautifully, but it had a sliding glass door to its own private balcony, where there was a cascading waterfall wall, which Creed turned on when she went outside.

Stepping closer, Sage made sure there was no water pooling the girls could get into. There wasn’t; the water disappeared underground. When her fingers reached out to touch the water, she realized a layer of plexiglass covered the water.

Going back inside, she closed and locked the door, but she could still hear the water inside, turning the room into a peaceful sanctuary.

Unable to look at Creed due to the magnitude of what she was feeling, she walked into the bathroom, where there was a walk-in shower and also a walk-in bathtub, with jets. No expense had been spared.

Sage walked back into bedroom. Glory had suffered so much since the fire—losing Danny, her face, and her lower body disfigured, and throughout it all, she had maintained her sanity; Sage didn’t think she could have done the same. Her sister deserved enjoying the last months on earth in this room, seeing her children happy …

Sage sucked in a sharp breath, willing herself not to break.

“Sage …?”

“Yes, it will,” she responded hoarsely.

Moving around him, careful not to brush against Creed, she finished her tour downstairs, finding an office with a glass door and a laundry room with two washers and dryers. Upstairs, she found three bedrooms on one side of the staircase. On the other side was a door that opened to a sitting room with a couch, media center, and mini fridge with a coffee bar area. When she found the bedroom behind a set of double doors, she wandered around the room. There were two separate bathrooms with showers. One had a soaking tub, and each bathroom had a walk-in closet. The one with the soaking tub had obviously been designed for a woman. There was a full-length mirror, a chaise lounge, and a jewelry case. Laying her hand on the case, she realized it wasn’t real glass; it was plexiglass.

When she turned around, she saw Creed was standing in the doorway, watching her.

“What do you think?”

She bit her lip. As much as Creed had hurt her, she couldn’t bring herself to be snide. Despite him appearing imperturbable, she had an instinctive feeling he was anxious about her response. There was a boyish anxiousness in his eyes, which she had seen him exhibit only once before.

Creed carried himself with an air of confidence, as if he were untouchable, able to handle anything. Regardless of how frustrating or dangerous the occurrence, he could come out standing untouched, protecting himself and others around him. To see the boyish eagerness to please her, she felt as if he was trying to smooth a soothing balm over her hurt feelings.

She had to give him his due.

“What can I say? The whole house is lovely.” Moving around him, she walked back to the main bedroom. “You did an outstanding job finding a home that will fit all of our needs.” She sat down on the edge of the bed, rubbing her hand over the luxurious bedding, and continued to stare around the room.

“I hired a cleaning service. All the bedding is new, so we don’t have to worry about buyers trying out the bed.

“I’m glad you thought of that. I wouldn’t have.”

“I moved my clothes in here last night. I’ll go to the car and get your suitcase.”

“I’d appreciate it.” Standing, she took a final look around the room. “You can put it in the bedroom near the head of the stairs.”

FORTY-THREE

Creed didn’t move a muscle to get the suitcase.

“That’s not going to work for me.”

“Then take me back to my apartment.” Stubbornly, she raised her chin.

“Okay, we can leave now.”

He wasn’t going to try to convince her to change her mind?